Stagedoor Manor to Perform in New Finale for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(R)

Stagedoor Manor to Perform in New Finale for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(R)

NEW YORK, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Stagedoor Manor is thrilled to announce that 60 of their theater arts students will premiere a new finale for the 83rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade® on November 26, 2009. This first collaboration between Stagedoor Manor performers and Macy's Entertainment Group will feature students ranging in ages from 10 to 18 representing 22 states and three countries. The cast will bring a new twist to the end of the Parade with the first ever singing/dancing finale. Stagedoor performers will be at the Herald Square location, as well as joining Santa on his sleigh, to sing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and Macy's original song "I Believe" as the float arrives at the 34th Street flagship store.

Stagedoor Manor, a total immersion summer theater program located in upstate New York, chose the diverse cast from more than 400 students. "It was an impossible task!" stated Cindy Samuelson, owner/producer. "We had enough talent to cast the performance five times over! We wanted to take everyone!"

The students will come together for the first time just four days before the Parade! Long rehearsal days will be spent learning music and dance staging for their performance on the famous Macy's red star.

The Stagedoor cast will join high-profile celebrities, iconic floats, giant balloons and elite marching bands in this world-famous parade, which is recognized by many as the official start of the holiday season. "We are thrilled to welcome Stagedoor Manor to the Macy's Parade this year. They will truly add something special to our grand finale as the one-and-only Santa Claus arrives to kick off the holidays," stated Bill Schermerhorn, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade director. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is attended by more than 3.5 million people on the streets of New York City and viewed by more than 40 million watching on NBC.

Stagedoor Manor has been educating young performers since 1976. The program is committed to all levels of talent and experience, so no audition is required to attend. Stagedoor Manor alumni include Zach Braff, Josh Charles, Natalie Portman, Jon Cryer and Lea Michelle. Stagedoor is the subject of alumni film director Todd Graff's independent break-out film, "Camp," and the 2005 documentary "Stagedoor," profiling camper's experiences. A book ("Theater Geeks" by GQ writer Michael Rapkin, Simon and Schuster) is scheduled to be released June 2010. For more information, visit www.stagedoormanor.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Stagedoor Manor

CONTACT: Amy Brownstein, amyb@brownsteinpr.com, or Tim Yates,
Tim@brownsteinpr.com, both of Brownstein & Associates, +1-212-265-3666

Web Site: http://www.stagedoormanor.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment